Stores Raise Awareness and Dollars

Our annual 2011 Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign runs for two more weeks and we hope you will join us in the home stretch! Thanks to your generosity, $2.97 million has been donated so far! That’s enough for 16,500 microloans supporting 82,500 people with a chance to lift themselves out of poverty. It’s easy to donate either in our stores or donate online. You can also spread the word to your social network or start your own campaign.
Our stores and facilities have truly gone above and beyond this year to raise awareness and funds for Whole Planet Foundation. Impactful in-store displays and merchandising, combined with largely attended out-of-store events have helped surpass this year’s Campaign initial fundraising goal. But there’s not need to stop there! Let’s keep going to $3.6 million dollars so we can empower 100,000 people with a better life.
Here’s just a quick look at some of the creative fundraising from our stores. Whole Foods Market’s Park Royal Village Created “Meal Solution” tables based on Whole Planet Foundation borrower-inspired recipes, including Ethiopian-style Chickpea Stew.
On March 4th, our Portland stores hosted “A Hand Up to Half a Million People,” a cultural exhibit of photos, videos and handmade crafts from countries where Whole Foods Market sources products and Whole Planet Foundation funds microlending programs. The exhibit is a partnership with Mercy Corps and the Art Institute of Portland that will have an expected 5,000 attendees throughout the month of March.
On March 25th, our Denver stores will host a Whole Planet Foundation benefit party. 9 bands and 3 DJs will rock Bar Standard, with 100% of ticket proceeds funding microloans. Musical acts include Bop Skizzum, Bobby C Sound T.V., Tage Plantell & The Dusty Road, The Love Royale and others. The goal is to sell 1000 tickets, to raise $8000 and to create 45 microloans in one night!
Team Members from the Kitislano store suited up in Whole Trade™ Banana suits and hit the streets in the Kitislano neighborhood of Vancouver to raise awareness for the Whole Planet Foundation. Kamelli and Marek took samples of the Caribbean Dream, a new smoothie made with Whole Trade pineapple, Whole Trade mango, banana, coconut water and kale. All stores in the Pacific Northwest Region are donating $2 from the sales of this one smoothie to the Prosperity Campaign.
In the United Kingdom, the Soho store sold pancakes in “Aid of Whole Planet Foundation,” including Mexican Quesadilla Pancakes, Parichichi Pancakes and Blueberry & Sour Cream Pancakes. The suggested donation of £ 1 raised £ 131 for 120 cooked pancakes in 2 ½ hours!
Facilities are doing their part too. The Midwest Distribution Center has raised $4,095 toward its goal of $5000. Kristen Khazzoun shares “All I have to say is WOW – we are well on our way to surpass that. The donations we have received so far are absolutely amazing to say the least. It is such a great feeling to know that we are part of a company that has team members and suppliers alike who care about what happens outside of the walls here and are helping to change lives and lift so many out of poverty.”
To thank you for your generous contributions at the registers and events, we partnered with Intrepid Travel to give away a 10-day trip for two to Peru. Step back in time in the Sacred Valley, witness the glory of Machu Picchu and more on this 9-night/10-day adventure for 2 including airfare, accommodations, local transportation and select meals.You’ll meet Whole Planet Foundation-supported microcredit clients and partners in the field to see firsthand how your donation helps alleviate poverty worldwide. From mountains to jungle, seasides to great plains, you’ll experience Peru’s incredible natural and historical highlights on this awesome adventure. Find out more about this tour atIntrepid Traveland click here to go to the contest entry page — must enter by March 31st(full rules on the contest page).

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Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market.

As the world’s leading natural and organic grocer we’re all about healthy food and a healthy planet, and we've got bunches of passionate people in our community doing incredible things. Join in the conversation!